For the first time, an official, by-the-numbers, Eddie Van Halen approved replica has been made of the guitar that Eddie played at the height of his band's popularity. There is no doubt that Frankenstein, as it is known, is one of the most recognizable guitars in rock 'n' roll history. Luthier Chip Ellis has recreated every stripe, every fret, every screw hole.
Not only are the ash body, maple bolt-on neck, and Schaller tuning machines exact in their materials and specifications, but the electronic wiring, unique as it is, has been replicated with almost frightening precision. Seymour Duncan gave the pickups, both functioning and cosmetic, the same treatment Eddie gave them, right down to the wax dipping! You won't get any closer to Eddie's famous "brown" sound with any other guitar. Eddie went so far as to say that this replica feels and sounds even better than the original.
Have you seen Junior's grades? Chip Ellis admits that he may have gotten into this more than anyone should. Made in Corona, California this guitar has been through a 2-stage aging process. It was relic-ed after being given the original black and white paint job, seen on the original Van Halen tour, and relic-ed again after the red paint was added!
Everybody Wants Some Eddie is a self-proclaimed "tone chaser," and was constantly experimenting with his guitars. He recalls a time he had taken his guitar apart 30 minutes before a show, and when reassembled, he couldn't get the Floyd Rose tremolo to sit flush against the body. He asked for a quarter, which he drilled a hole through, and then screwed it onto Frankenstein so he could jam the edge of it under the bridge. He later fixed the bridge, but the 1971 quarter remains. You'll find a 1971 quarter screwed to your Frankenstein replica, as well.
Eddie and the band bought road reflectors at a truck stop and stuck them on the back of Frankenstein so that at the end of the show, when the blazing Van Halen emblem came down, Eddie could reflect beams of light out over the crowd. Although the company that made them is no longer in business, you'll find nearly identical road reflectors on the back of your Frankenstein replica.
You'll also find matching cigarette burns, rust spots and every nick, chip and worn spot, just like Eddie's. This guitar matches the looks, feel and sound of Frankenstein. The maple neck features an authentic EVH broken-in matched feel. When Eddie first saw the replica, it was so much like his original that he had to write something on the back of his guitar's neck so he would be sure he could tell them apart. Sorry, we can't repeat what he wrote here, but we can offer you this amazing opportunity to own a legitimate piece of music history.
EVH© and the EVH© logo are registered trademarks of ELVH, Inc. The unique striped design of the guitar is a copyright (2001) of ELVH, Inc. The unique headstock and body designs of this guitar are trademarks of FMIC. All rights reserved.
I have a cheap knock off kramer/fender CVH guitar and it plays fine.
why would anyone spend that kind of cash (25,000?) on a REPLICA of someone elses famous guitar? I dont get it.
Make your own a famous one instead!
You wont sound like Eddie if you buy it! No matter how much it looks like it, including the fake cig burns and wear and tear.
"FUCK YOU, YOU FUCKIN' BITCH! WHO THE FUCK DO YOU THINK YOU ARE ANYWAYS? TALK TO ME LIKE THAT? FUCK YOU. DRAG QUEEN LOOKIN' WHORE- YOU AINT SHIT. YOUR THE FRECKLE TO THE LEFT OF MY BROWN EYE. NOW GO MAKE YOURSELF USEFUL...OH, PUT DAD ON THE PHONE"
I'm actually considering building a replica of Frankie myself now, just to see how close I can get to it without spending 25k....Originally posted by Big Troubles
I have a cheap knock off kramer/fender CVH guitar and it plays fine.
why would anyone spend that kind of cash (25,000?) on a REPLICA of someone elses famous guitar? I dont get it.
Make your own a famous one instead!
You wont sound like Eddie if you buy it! No matter how much it looks like it, including the fake cig burns and wear and tear.Already have a semi-rusty '80s chrome Floyd and tuners laying around...
If I do it, it's just gonna hang on the wall, though...wouldn't gig with it...so what's the point, really?
That, and I just read the replica has a 1 5/8" nut...which would be a deal-killer even if I HAD the cash to spend on a 25k replica...gotta be 1 3/4" for me....and from everything I've ever read, that's what the real Frankie's original neck was...
Last edited by jhale667; 05-06-2007 at 04:10 PM.
Funny how rich bastards are going to pay $25,000 for a worn down guitar that the man himself just threw together for not even a couple hundred bucks.
"I've always been academic. I've trained in martial arts since my 12th birthday. I like contact sports, history books and the fine art of ridicule and sarcasm. I can gang-sign the alphabet and I own a Mercury low-rider. I am a black man trapped in a Jewish body."
I can see both sides of it. Cool to have, if someone gave it to you you would brag to every one you had one. Also agree 25k is way too much. But, if it were any cheaper every one would one and nobody wants that. Kinda kills the vibe to see everyone with one of these. I hope we never see anybody playing one. Except Edward.
This space for rent.
P.S. Nice find
we've already seen it...the guy in VR that ain't Slash played one at the HOF inductions.Originally posted by indeedido
I hope we never see anybody playing one. Except Edward.
Writing In All Proper Case Takes Extra Time, Is Confusing To Read, And Is Completely Pointless.
I don't understand any signature guitar; or for that matter any vintage re-issue. They all just come off as copies of another guitar.
I used the Jedi mind trick on myself. It never happened. It never, happened.Originally posted by twonabomber
we've already seen it...the guy in VR that ain't Slash played one at the HOF inductions.
I don't understand why it's $25k...
I could see maybe $5,000...
hillbillyhell: Dude, change your fucking signature. Nobody wants to hear your music every time you post one of your grammar-lacking posts to this website.
For real...
Idiot...
YES! I keep clicking on these pages and get blasted out with Motorhead. Enough
Even then...Really, why would want to spend $5 G's on someone elses knock off guitar. Id rather spend the $ on my own shit and make MY shit worth $25,000.Originally posted by ELVIS
I don't understand why it's $25k...
I could see maybe $5,000...
I think ppl assume that they will become Eddie, if they play his guitar. (even then, ITS STILL NOT HIS!)
God fucking damn Motorhead.
cant believe that people will buy all of them
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